Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Statue Of Liberty National Monument adventure.
You've got one way to get to this national monument: by boat. Most visitors start their journey from Battery Park, but there's also ferries from Jersey City's Liberty State Park. Be prepared to wait, as everyone visiting the Statue must undergo a security check before boarding. Book ferry tickets ahead of time if you can, so you can use the fast lane and save some time. The ferry stops at Ellis Island on your return trip—also worth a visit.
Once you arrive, you'll be astonished at how huge the statue is. You just don't get the sense of it viewing it from Manhattan or even from the harbor. Climb to the pedestal, visit the museum exhibits to learn about the building of the statue, and take all the photos. We recommend a photo with the giant cast of Lady Liberty's toe inside the museum to get a sense of scale.
Want to visit the crown? It's well worth it, but you'll have to book three months in advance. (Pro tip: Stow your stuff in a locker at the base of the statue before heading upward.) You've got 20 stories worth of stairs to climb (there's no elevator), so this part of the visit is only for those in good shape.
Looking for an affordable place to stay during your NYC visit? Check out farm camping in New Jersey and beach camping on Long Island, courtesy of Hipcamp.